Module 104 Internal Dose Control

DOE-HDBK-1113-98

Module 104 Internal Dose Control

Lesson Plan

Instructor's Notes

Show OT-31

IV.

MODULE 104 - Internal Dose Control

Highlight the specific internal

Objectives

exposure hazards and controls at

your facilit y.

EO6

Identify the modes of entry into the body for

uranium.

EO7

Describe the measures taken to control intakes of

uranium, including special radiological surveys and

techniques, instruments, and release of materials.

Internal Exposure to Uranium

Show OT-32

As discussed in Module 101, the primary biological hazard

is the potential for uranium to be taken into the body. This

exposure may result in heavy metal poisoning, including

kidney damage (for acute exposures), or an increased

cancer risk (for chronic exposures). Uranium may enter the

body through inhalation, ingestion, absorption through the

skin, or injection into the bloodstream, such as from

contamination of an open wound.

The most common route of entry is inhalation, but much of

the material inhaled does not stay in the l ungs. The lungs

and related air passages constantly work to remove all the

dust we breathe, including dust that contains uranium. The

dust expelled from the lungs but not exhaled is swallowed,

so some of the inh aled uraniu m ends up in the di gestive

tract.